Before you know it, your child will figure out that boys and girls are different in more ways than one. They may see you dressing/toileting, or watch a diaper change and notice that there is something different about their body and someone of the opposite sex.

Don’t be embarrassed, don’t try to avoid the topic. Just be honest! No shame!

“Boys have penises and that’s what makes them special, which is why we call them private parts. And girls have a vagina (or you can also use vulva) which is what makes them special.”

Get a book on introducing this subject so that you are in control of introducing this knowledge to them and so they feel it’s a comfortable subject to be curious about. Check out our references page for suggestions.

If you’re worried about whether your child’s curiosity is healthy or concerning, check out Stop It Now’s page on Age-Appropriate Sexual Behavior.

_{Sections on this page have been adapted from TheMamaBearEffect}